Ruling goes against boy in ‘the Pop-Tart case’

ANNAPOLIS — A hearing examiner has affirmed the suspension of a Maryland boy who chewed his breakfast pastry into the shape of a gun.

The Washington Post reports that hearing examiner Andrew Nussbaum supported a principal’s assertion that the suspension was based on a history of problems, not the pastry episode some refer to as “the Pop-Tart case.” Nussbaum’s 30-page opinion is dated June 26.

The incident took place last year when the Anne Arundel County boy was 7 years old.

The case happened during a time of increased sensitivity to guns after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. The boy’s punishment was one of several D.C.-area suspensions involving imaginary or toy guns.